Which Larch?

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darbyo Murphysboro, IL(Zone 6a) May 15, 2007

The first tree I ever fell in love with was a larch. It was in the Japanese Garden in the Brooklyn Botanical Garden, and I saw it many years ago, long before I ever even dreamt of a garden of my own. I now live in the midwest, Zone 6 going on 7, and am hoping that I can find a larch of my own to love. Perhaps a dwarf or smaller stature tree. I have been considering the Larix kaempferi 'Blue Rabbit' , but can't find any info on how wide it grows. Also, from what I've been able to find, larix kaempferi will do best in my hot and humid summers. Does anyone have any suggestions or other information? Thanks!

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treelover3 Minneapolis, MN(Zone 5a) May 15, 2007

Larix kaempferi grows very, very fast for me, here in zone 4a. I purchased a one foot tall Larix kaempferi 'Blue Rabbit' in June of 2003 and my plant is now about 15' tall. Not a dwarf plant by any means. I read somewhere (online, maybe) that the original 'Blue Rabbit' is now 60' wide (yes, sixty feet wide). We'll see... my lot is only 60' wide and if the tree ever gets that large, I am in a heap of deep doo doo (the tree will be trimmed, long before it ever reaches that width.)

I love Larix kaempferi 'Diane' (aka 'Diana'), the contorted Japanese larch. It has great form and a beautiful silhouette in the winter. Great yellow fall color, too. No landscape should be without one, IMHO.
Good luck,
Mike

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darbyo Murphysboro, IL(Zone 6a) May 15, 2007

Thanks Mike, now I know I don't have room for the 'Blue Rabbit'. Forestfarm said it was columnar to 40', but 60' wide is way too large. They also sell 'Diana' but give no information about the size. I suppose I could call them, but am wary of info that isn't totally correct. However, it sounds like you are fearless, and ready and willing to trim your Blue Rabbit!

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treelover3 Minneapolis, MN(Zone 5a) May 15, 2007

darbyo,
I have a 'Diane' (aka 'Diana') in my yard and my tree is 10 years old and approx. 12' tall and 4.5' to 5' wide. My tree is quite open. Here is a link to a picture of my tree last fall. You'll need to scroll down the page to see the pic. My plant was a fresh graft (one foot tall) in 1997.

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/conif/msg0411180430434.html

Remember, too, that the 60' width of the 'Blue Rabbit' larch may be after 50 or 60 years - it is the original tree, after all. No tree ever stops growing. The plant sizes given on the plant tags are usually the size of the plant after 10 or 15 years. Once a plant matures, its growth slows, but never stops. I would get either of these trees and enjoy it. You can always prune the tree, if necessary.
Mike

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darbyo Murphysboro, IL(Zone 6a) May 15, 2007

Mike,

Thank you for that picture of "Diane". It is absolutely beautiful, just what I'm looking for. It is my sister's name, so that makes it even better.

Darby

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